Just got my vortex 2 online from Mountain Sports of Arlington Texas for $169, about $50 below sticker. Chose it over a MeteorLight b/c it was cheaper and lighter.
First impressions, good: well put together and easy to handle.i was a little worried about the pole sleeve design but it works fine. very stable, love the attic.
first impressions, bad: the usable footprint is not as wide as advertised due to a pronounced bow in the sides. maybe this will work itself out over time. also the fly seems to generate an unusually heavy amount of condensation. in initial use (car camping) this wasn't a problem but in backpacking you don't want to always be rolling up a wet fly. anyone else noticed this or got any suggestions?

Similar Products Used:

None

Easy to set up, good size vestibules and very stable. If you have to zip the vestibules closed, there's not much ventilation. It's hard to stuff into the stuff sack and still have room for the poles and stakes which is how I like to store it when not in use. It's a little heavy for backpacking. It performed well during a, rained the entire time, trip to the Boundary Waters. I find these negatives very minor and overall it a very nice tent, excellent ventilation when the vestibules are open and even with the rain fly on you can still look out the windows and see the stars. The 2 doors are the only way to go and each person can put their stuff in their vestibule, slick. I like the gear loft, and the storage pockets inside the tent. Overall, I think this is a well designed and well made tent.

Similar Products Used:

Timberline

My dad bought one a long time ago. I like it so much I bought me one. Its been throught the Teatons, Boundery watertwice, Moab UT twice, 10 days in Alaska on the side of the Mountain(I've got a great photo if enterested), 7 days in Acadia, and numerus other day and 2 day outings
Roomy
Love the 2 doors with 2 vestibles
Free standing

Customer Service

No problems except you have to guy wire it down tight.
A bit heavy
Leaks no matter how much you seam seal
not much air circulation
This tent has pros and cons but for getting a tent for around a hundred and a quarter with 2 doors, plenty of room, and 7xxx grade Aluminum poles its well worth it.

Similar Products Used:

In the begining just tryed department store tents. This tent is a stepping stone. I'm going to get me better tent around 300 dollor range but still looking. So many to choose from

Although I haven't had this tent that long, the V2 seems to be a great tent. I picked this tent up from Campmor for $129, and is a steal at that price. The tent is surprisingly waterproof as it recently withstood 3" of rain one night at the red river gorge. The tent goes up in no time at all and it very stable for a 2 pole tent...Excellent buy

Similar Products Used:

None

Very nice tent
Easy/Fast to set up
Easy to pack
Roomy
Well ventilated
Not the lightest tent around

Similar Products Used:

None

This is a great tent for the price. I got it on sale for $140. This is an bombproof tent with excellent features. I've used it in rain and snow and it has kept me dry. In cold weather, there's a problem with condensation inside the fly. I heard the newer model may have this problem fixed. I loved the large 2 doors and vestibules setup. Also, the tent weight is not the lightest (6lb11oz), but overall, this is an excellent tent.

Similar Products Used:

None

I have had this tent for 3 years now and after putting many miles on it, it is still as good as the day I bought it. It's light, strong, virtually storm-proof (I have never been wet) and inexpensive. I have used it in some pretty severe winter camping conditions too, where even with it's 2-pole design I was able to keep it pretty stable in high winds. A good tent for a great price.

Customer Service

I would be surprised if I ever have a problem with this tent and need to contact Kelty.

Similar Products Used:

walrus rapeede, an older EMS 3 season tent

Excellent tent. I have used it for car camping and backpacking and I have never had a leak or a rip. I have weathered some pretty bad storms in this tent and have been able to cook in the vestibule with one side pulled back. Excellent value for the money

I have used this tent for canoeing and found it to be very easy to set up. Negative features are: it requires a very large site (which is not always to be found)and the vestibule slopes at a very steep angle. The interior walls are also angled reducing the amount of head room if you change your clothes.

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

Jack Wolfskin Yosemite. A great canoe tent with a huge vestibule. Slightly heavier than the Kelty which is easily offset by the increased vestibule space. You can actually cook in the vestibule and my Golden Retriever likes a dry palce in the rain.

My vortex is an excellent tent for the money. I've used it year round and the only problem I found was that in cold weather the nylon doesn't stretch as much making it a little harder to set up. Plenty of room for two people and gear.

Similar Products Used:

None